The Mordellidae are a

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

beetle Beetles are insects that form the order Coleoptera (), in the superorder Endopterygota. Their front pair of wings are hardened into wing-cases, elytra, distinguishing them from most other insects. The Coleoptera, with about 400,000 describ ...

s commonly known as tumbling flower beetles for the typical irregular movements they make when escaping

predator Predation is a biological interaction where one organism, the predator, kills and eats another organism, its prey. It is one of a family of common feeding behaviours that includes parasitism and micropredation (which usually do not kill th ...

s, or as pintail beetles due to their

abdominal The abdomen (colloquially called the belly, tummy, midriff, tucky or stomach) is the part of the body between the thorax (chest) and pelvis, in humans and in other vertebrates. The abdomen is the front part of the abdominal segment of the torso. ...

tip which aids them in performing these tumbling movements. Worldwide, there are about 1500

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

Anatomy

The apparently tumbling movements are composed of a series of very rapid separate jumps (each jump of a duration of approximately 80 ms). They result from the beetle's efforts to get itself back into take-off position for flight when it has been in either lateral or dorsal position. Each individual jump should be considered as an extended rotation, performed by one leg of the third leg pair (metapodium). Depending on whether the left or the right metapodium is used as the leg that provides the leverage for take-off, change occurs in the direction of the jump. The energy for propulsion varies with the beetle's immediate muscle work, so that jump lengths and heights vary, with rotation frequencies recorded up to 48 per second (''Mordellochroa abdominalis'') around the gravitation centre of the body's longitudinal axis. Additional revolving around the transverse axis (at lower frequency) effects spiralling somersaults that are perceived as tumbling. The pintail (pygidium) is of no significance for the jump. While the pintail is no significance for the jump, meta-trochanter-femur (thighs and surrounding rings of the third leg pair)has a great capacity of free rotation (up to 270 degrees, at one level only). This capacity is due to a screw joint that connects the base of metacoxa to the head of trochanter. The nut gradient is 21 degrees (as seen under a scanning electron microscopy SEM, 1985). Technically similar jumps, though less powerful, can be observed in family Melandryidae (=Serropalpidae) (genus ''Orchesia'') and family

Scraptiidae The family Scraptiidae is a small group of tenebrionoid beetles sometimes called false flower beetles. There are about 400 species in 30 genera with a world-wide distribution. The adults are found on flowers, sometimes in large numbers, but are a ...

(genus ''Anaspis''). Their coxa-trochanter-joints are of similar structure. It can be assumed that the capacity of a tumbling form of locomotion is rooted in a common phylogeny and can therefore not be ascribed specifically to Mordellidae. Meanwhile, other authors have also pointed out the speciality of the real screw joint in nature. (2011) The weevil of the genus '' Trigonopterus'', Curculionidae in the Asian tropical rainforest, for example, has an even tighter connective construction in the Coxa -Trochanter joint than is found in Mordellidae. This construction, however, does not facilitate an equally high angular velocity of the torque. The joint here serves to provide a better grip on plants and easier climbing.

Systematics

This family has two living

subfamilies In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end subfamily botanical names with "-oideae", and zoologi ...

–

Mordellinae Mordellinae is a subfamily of beetles commonly known as tumbling flower beetles for the typical irregular movements they make when escaping predators, or as pintail beetles due to their abdominal tip which aids them in performing these tumbling ...

and

Ctenidiinae ''Ctenidia mordelloides'' is a species of beetle in the family Mordellidae The Mordellidae are a family of beetles commonly known as tumbling flower beetles for the typical irregular movements they make when escaping predators, or as pintail ...

– and a

prehistoric Prehistory, also known as pre-literary history, is the period of human history between the use of the first stone tools by hominins 3.3 million years ago and the beginning of recorded history with the invention of writing systems. The use of ...

one known only from

fossil A fossil (from Classical Latin , ) is any preserved remains, impression, or trace of any once-living thing from a past geological age. Examples include bones, shells, exoskeletons, stone imprints of animals or microbes, objects preserved ...

s ( Praemordellinae). Another fossil genus, ''

Liaoximordella ''Liaoximordella hongi'' is a species of beetle in the family Mordellidae The Mordellidae are a family of beetles commonly known as tumbling flower beetles for the typical irregular movements they make when escaping predators, or as pintail be ...

'', was previously treated as distinct

monotypic In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group (taxon) that contains only one immediately subordinate taxon. A monotypic species is one that does not include subspecies or smaller, infraspecific taxa. In the case of genera, the term "unispec ...

family Liaoximordellidae, but is now regarded as very primitive and probably basal member of the Mordellidae. FAMILY Mordellidae Latreille, 1802 * Subfamily

Franciscolo, 1951 ** '' Ctenidia'' Laporte de Castelnau in Brullé, 1840 * Subfamily

Latreille, 1802 ** †'' Angimordella'' Bao et al. 2019 Burmese amber, Myanmar,

Cenomanian The Cenomanian is, in the ICS' geological timescale, the oldest or earliest age of the Late Cretaceous Epoch or the lowest stage of the Upper Cretaceous Series. An age is a unit of geochronology; it is a unit of time; the stage is a unit in the s ...

**Tribe

Conaliini The Conaliini are a tribe of beetles in the family Mordellidae. Genera *''Conalia'' Mulsant & Rey, 1858 *''Conaliamorpha ''Conaliamorpha lutea'' is a species of beetles in the family Mordellidae The Mordellidae are a family of beetles com ...

Ermisch, 1956 *** ''

Conalia ''Conalia'' is a genus of beetles in the family Mordellidae The Mordellidae are a family of beetles commonly known as tumbling flower beetles for the typical irregular movements they make when escaping predators, or as pintail beetles due to th ...

'' Mulsant & Rey, 1858 *** ''

Conaliamorpha ''Conaliamorpha lutea'' is a species of beetles in the family Mordellidae The Mordellidae are a family of beetles commonly known as tumbling flower beetles for the typical irregular movements they make when escaping predators, or as pintail b ...

'' Ermisch, 1968 *** '' Glipodes'' LeConte, 1862 *** '' Isotrilophus'' Liljeblad, 1945 *** '' Ophthalmoconalia'' Ermisch, 1968 *** '' Paraconalia'' Ermisch, 1968 *** '' Pseudoconalia'' Ermisch, 1950 *** '' Stenoconalia'' Ermisch, 1967 *** '' Xanthoconalia'' Franciscolo, 1942 ** Tribe Mordellini Siedlitz, 1875 *** '' Adelptes'' Franciscolo, 1965 *** ''† Asiamordella'' Hong, 2002

Fushun amber Fushun (, formerly romanised as ''Fouchouen'', using French spelling, also as Fuxi ()) is a prefecture level city in Liaoning province, China, about east of Shenyang, with a total area of , of which is the city proper. Situated on the Hun Ri ...

, China,

Ypresian In the geologic timescale the Ypresian is the oldest age (geology), age or lowest stage (stratigraphy), stratigraphic stage of the Eocene. It spans the time between , is preceded by the Thanetian Age (part of the Paleocene) and is followed by th ...

*** '' Austromordella'' Ermisch, 1950 *** '' Binaghia'' Franciscolo, 1943 *** '' Boatia'' Franciscolo, 1985 *** '' Caffromorda'' Franciscolo, 1952 *** '' Calycina'' Blair, 1922 *** '' Cephaloglipa'' Franciscolo, 1952 *** '' Congomorda'' Ermisch, 1955 *** '' Cothurus''

Champion A champion (from the late Latin ''campio'') is the victor in a challenge, contest or competition. There can be a territorial pyramid of championships, e.g. local, regional / provincial, state, national, continental and world championships, an ...

, 1891 *** '' Curtimorda'' Méquignon, 1946 *** '' Glipa'' LeConte, 1859 *** '' Glipidiomorpha'' Franciscolo, 1952 *** '' Hoshihananomia'' Kônô, 1935 *** '' Iberomorda'' Méquignon, 1946 *** '' Ideorhipistena'' Franciscolo, 2000 *** ''

Klapperichimorda ''Klapperichimorda'' is a genus of beetles in the family Mordellidae The Mordellidae are a family of beetles commonly known as tumbling flower beetles for the typical irregular movements they make when escaping predators, or as pintail beetles ...

'' Ermisch, 1968 *** '' Larinomorda'' Ermisch, 1968 *** '' Machairophora'' Franciscolo, 1943 *** '' Macrotomoxia'' Píc, 1922 *** '' Mordella'' Linnaeus,

1758 Events January–March * January 1 – Swedish biologist Carl Linnaeus (Carl von Linné) publishes in Stockholm the first volume (''Animalia'') of the 10th edition of Systema Naturae, 10th edition of ''Systema Naturae'', the sta ...

*** '' Mordellina'' Schilsky, 1908 *** '' Mordellapygium'' Ray, 1930 *** '' Mordellaria'' Ermisch, 1950 *** '' Mordelloides'' Ray, 1939 *** '' Mordellopalpus'' Franciscolo, 1955 *** '' Neocurtimorda'' Franciscolo, 1950 *** '' Neotomoxia'' Ermisch, 1950 *** '' Ophthalmoglipa'' Franciscolo, 1952 *** '' Paramordella'' Píc, 1936 *** '' Paramordellana'' Ermisch, 1968 *** '' Paramordellaria'' Ermisch, 1968 *** '' Paraphungia'' Ermisch, 1969 *** '' Parastenomordella'' Ermisch, 1950 *** '' Paratomoxia'' Ermisch, 1950 *** '' Paratomoxioda'' Ermisch, 1954 *** '' Phungia'' Píc, 1922 *** '' Plesitomoxia'' Ermisch, 1955 *** '' Praemordella'' Shchegoleva-Barovskaya, 1929 *** '' Pseudomordellaria'' Ermisch, 1950 *** '' Pseudotomoxia'' Ermisch, 1950 *** '' Sphaeromorda'' Franciscolo, 1950 *** '' Stenaliamorda'' Ermisch & Chûjô, 1968 *** '' Stenomorda'' Ermisch, 1950 *** '' Stenomordella'' Ermisch, 1941 *** '' Stenomordellaria'' Ermisch, 1950 *** '' Stenomordellariodes'' Ermisch, 1954 *** ''† Succimorda'' Kubisz, 2001

Baltic amber The Baltic region is home to the largest known deposit of amber, called Baltic amber or succinite. It was produced sometime during the Eocene epoch, but exactly when is controversial. It has been estimated that these forests created more than 1 ...

, Eocene *** '' Tolidomordella'' Ermisch, 1950 *** '' Tolidomoxia'' Ermisch, 1950 *** '' Tomoxia'' Costa, 1854 *** '' Tomoxioda'' Ermisch, 1950 *** '' Trichotomoxia'' Franciscolo, 1950 *** '' Variimorda'' Méquignon, 1946 *** '' Wittmerimorda'' Franciscolo, 1952 *** '' Yakuhananomia'' Kônô, 1935 *** '' Zeamordella'' Broun, 1886 ** Tribe Mordellistenini Ermisch, 1941 *** '' Asiatolida'' Shiyake, 2000 *** '' Calyce''

, 1891 *** '' Calycemorda'' Ermisch, 1969 *** '' Calyceoidea'' Ermisch, 1969 *** '' Dellamora'' Normand, 1916 *** '' Diversimorda'' Ermisch, 1969 *** '' Ermischiella'' Franciscolo, 1950 *** '' Fahraeusiella'' Ermisch, 1953 *** '' Falsomordellina'' Nomura, 1966 *** '' Falsomordellistena'' Ermisch, 1941 *** '' Falsopseudomoxia'' Franciscolo, 1965 *** '' Glipostena'' Ermisch, 1941 *** '' Glipostenoda'' Ermisch, 1950 *** '' Gymnostena'' Franciscolo, 1950 *** '' Mordellina'' Schilsky, 1908 *** ''

Mordellistena ''Mordellistena'' is a genus of beetles in the family Mordellidae, containing the following species: *'' Mordellistena abaceta'' Lea, 1917 *'' Mordellistena abessinica'' Ermisch, 1965 *'' Mordellistena abrupta'' Ray, 1944 *'' Mordellistena a ...

'' Costa, 1854 *** '' Mordellistenalia'' Ermisch, 1958 *** '' Mordellistenochroa'' Horák, 1982 *** '' Mordellistenoda'' Ermisch, 1941 *** '' Mordellistenula'' Stchegoleva-Barowskaja, 1930 *** '' Mordellochroa'' Emery, 1876 *** '' Mordellochroidea'' Ermisch, 1969 *** '' Mordelloxena'' Franciscolo, 1950 *** '' Morphomordellochroa'' Ermisch, 1969 *** '' Neomordellistena'' Ermisch, 1950 *** '' Palmorda'' Ermisch, 1969 *** '' Palpomorda'' Ermisch, 1969 *** '' Paramordellistena'' Ermisch, 1950 *** '' Phunginus'' Píc, 1922 *** '' Pselaphokentron'' Franciscolo, 1955 *** '' Pseudodellamora'' Ermisch, 1942 *** '' Pseudotolida'' Ermisch, 1950 *** '' Raymordella'' Franciscolo, 1956 *** '' Tolida'' Mulsant, 1856 *** '' Tolidopalpus'' Ermisch, 1951 *** '' Tolidostena'' Ermisch, 1942 *** '' Uhligia'' Horák, 1990 *** '' Xanthomorda'' Ermisch, 1968 ** Tribe Reynoldsiellini Franciscolo, 1957 *** '' Reynoldsiella'' Ray, 1930 ** Tribe Stenaliini Franciscolo, 1956 *** '' Brodskyella'' Horák, 1989 *** '' Pselaphostena'' Franciscolo, 1950 *** '' Stenalia'' Mulsant, 1856 *** '' Stenaliodes'' Franciscolo, 1956 *†Subfamily Praemordellinae Shchegoleva-Barovskaya 1929 **†'' Bellimordella'' Liu et al. 2008 Yixian Formation, China,

Aptian The Aptian is an age in the geologic timescale or a stage in the stratigraphic column. It is a subdivision of the Early or Lower Cretaceous Epoch or Series and encompasses the time from 121.4 ± 1.0 Ma to 113.0 ± 1.0 Ma (million years ago), a ...

**†'' Cretanaspis'' Huang and Yang 1999

Lushangfen Formation The Lushangfen Formation is an Early Cretaceous aged geologic formation in China. Dinosaur remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation, although none have yet been referred to a specific genus.Weishampel, et al. (2004 ...

, China, Aptian **†'' Mirimordella'' Liu et al. 2007 Yixian Formation, China, Aptian **†'' Praemordella'' Shchegoleva-Barovskaya 1929 Karabastau Formation, Kazakhstan, Oxfordian **†'' Wuhua'' Wang and Zhang 2011

Daohugou The Haifanggou Formation (), also known as the Jiulongshan Formation (), is a fossil-bearing rock deposit located near Daohugou () village of Ningcheng County, in Inner Mongolia, northeastern China. The formation consists of coarse conglomerates ...

, China, Callovian

References

External links

Nomen.at
{{Taxonbar, from=Q609477 Polyphaga families